INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Regis University Women's Lacrosse team, seeded No. 3 in the NCAA National Tournament Midwest Region, defeated No. 6 Ashland University (Ohio) in their first-round matchup on Thursday afternoon, 17-12. The Rangers improve to 14-4 on the year, while the Eagles' season ends at 14-6.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Eagles would take the first lead of the game, scoring in under a minute. After a failed clear attempt by Ashland, Lexie Springman picked up a ground ball, leading to a Becky Goetsch goal. Brigit Goetsch saved a pair of shots by AU before Justine Spahr scored on a free position shot to give the Rangers their first lead of the game. At 9:07, the Eagles tied the game again, but Shea Murphy would respond with two quick goals, one on a free position shot, and the other on a Springman assist. The scoring would then slow down, as each time added one more goal over the final six minutes of the opening quarter. Murphy assisted Aubrey Benton for the Ranger score, while Megan Bunker and Terah Skillings both forced turnovers.
Ashland would score the first goal of the second period as well, but Springman would quickly answer with an unassisted goal. After three unsuccessful free position attempts, Madeline Schallmoser found the back of the net on a woman-up goal for the 7-4 lead. Despite an Eagle turnover forced by Gabrielle Beals, AU scored twice in under a minute to score the score back within one, 7-6. Murphy forced a turnover, then picked up the ground ball and assisted Bunker's goal as Regis took back the momentum. Lauren Sheets added one more goal to the Ranger's total before the conclusion of the half, assisted by Emily Spaeth.
AU came out of the break strong, scoring the first two goals. The match then faced an extended lightning delay, but when play resumed, Murphy scored an unassisted goal. The Eagles had one more attempt to keep it close in the quarter before Regis scored three unanswered. Be. Goetsch and Murphy put in a pair of unassisted scores, and with four seconds left, Murphy scored, woman-up, assisted by Springman.
Sheets started the final period with a free position goal that pushed the lead to 14-9. At the 13:10 mark, Ashland started a comeback bid, scoring three unanswered goals to cut the RU advantage to 14-12. But a pair of draw controls by Bunker led to a Be. Goetsch-assisted goal for Justine Spahr, and a Spahr-assisted goal for Sheets. Br. Goetsch held strong in the goal with four late saves, and after a Murphy ground ball pickup, Be. Goetsch scored a final goal for good measure, securing the 17-12 win.
GAME NOTES
· Murphy led all players with seven points, coming from five points and two assists
· Sheets and Be. Goetsch added four points apiece
· Be Goetsch and Bunker both forced five turnovers
· Murphy forced four and picked up four ground balls
· Tori Wanat scored five goals for the Eagles
· Br. Goetsch had 15 saves in the win. Annie Duncan had six in the loss
UP NEXT
The Rangers advance to the second round, battling No. 2 seeded University of Indianapolis on Saturday, May 10 at 1 pm.
